Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"What do you mean?" Malcolm asked, curiosity piqued, his analytical mind already processing Adrian's words.

Adrian took a breath, his expression remaining calm and measured. "Sorry if I sounded rude," he said, keeping his tone respectful. "What I meant was that Sezar probably received some sort of enhancement from the Mastermind—a power-up, a trick, or something similar. After all, she is a mad scientist. She's known for twisting creatures into something far worse or powerful.

So, please consider that when planning."

Malcolm's sharp eyes studied Adrian for a moment, then he gave a short nod, impressed by the boy's insight. "Ah, I see. Good deduction."

Adrian nodded in return, though he couldn't shake the feeling that 'deduction' didn't quite capture the depths of the danger Sezar now posed. "One more thing," he added. "Don't forget that Sezar may appear arrogant—overconfident even—but it could be part of a larger deception. He's smart and never underestimates anyone, which makes him even more dangerous."

The murmurs around the room quieted as Malcolm absorbed this final piece of advice. His gaze hardened, acknowledging the seriousness of Adrian's warning. "Understood," Malcolm said, his voice steady. "We'll factor that into the plan."

At that moment, the Vice-Principal, who had been watching the conversation intently, stepped forward, addressing Adrian directly. "You've provided valuable insight, student Adrian," he said. "Now, who do you want in your group?"

Without hesitation, Adrian nodded and spoke clearly. "I'll need ten people. Six instructors and four students." He quickly listed the names of those he trusted to handle the complexities of the mission. Though he didn't say them aloud for the room, they were key individuals he believed would stand the best chance against Evangeline's forces.

The Vice-Principal's expression shifted to one of approval. "Good choices," he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I'll have the teleportation portal prepared immediately."

With a nod of acknowledgment, the Vice-Principal began issuing orders to his staff. "We'll teleport you and your group to a location near the Valerian Hall," he said as he gestured for Adrian and his team to follow. "The portal room is this way."

Adrian and the chosen group followed the Vice-Principal through the hallways, the tension growing with each step. Every person knew that the stakes were higher than ever before. Time was slipping away, and soon, they would be facing an unpredictable enemy.

---- --- -

Under the cover of darkness, Adrian led his group with quiet, deliberate steps. Shadows cloaked them from view, a near-invisible blur as they moved through the darkness.

The spell surrounding them was a powerful four-star invisibility enchantment, maintained by none other than Professor Seraphelis, Aurelius's Master. His mastery over darkness allowed the group to slip through the swarm of abominations lurking outside the Valerian Hall with ease. Well, it was true the instructors could fight them easily, but the risk of alerting the enemy was high.

So, they chose to infiltrate instead.

The grotesque creatures wandered aimlessly, their twisted forms searching for prey, but none noticed Adrian's group passing just a few feet away. Their misshapen bodies twitched and jerked, but they were blind to the figures moving through the night like shadows themselves.

Adrian glanced back at the group, ensuring they were all keeping pace.

His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear, but from the anticipation of what lay ahead. They had passed the first hurdle—getting through the swarm unnoticed—but the real challenge was yet to come.

As they approached the entrance to the Valerian Hall, Adrian's hand slipped into his cloak and retrieved a small, gleaming token. It was the VIP token, the thing of his previous dealings that granted him access through the barrier.

With a swift motion, he pressed it against the shimmering barrier guarding the gate. The magic rippled for a brief moment before parting, allowing the group to slip inside undisturbed.

They moved silently into the hall, tension thick in the air as they crept past the gate and into the labyrinthine corridors within.

But just as they began to relax, thinking they had slipped past unnoticed, something shifted in the darkness ahead.

A figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, thin abomination. Its skin was stretched taut over a skeletal frame, pale and sickly, making its bones visible beneath. It was unlike the mindless creatures outside. This one was intelligent. It stood unnervingly still, its gaunt body looming over them like a dark omen.

Its single, baleful eye embedded in the center of its elongated head gazed at the group, stopping when it locked onto Adrian. It blinked once, slowly, as if it were studying him.

The air grew cold, and the oppressive silence deepened as the abomination stood there, its lone eye glowing faintly in the dim light, watching them intently.

Adrian's breath caught in his throat as the abomination's gaze bore into him. It was as though the creature recognized him which was quite confusing and scary. A low, guttural noise escaped its throat, something between a growl and a hiss, and its mouth twisted into an unsettling grin.

Whatever this creature was, it was no ordinary abomination.

And it could easily see them.

'As I predicted...' Adrian thought looking back at the abomination. 'The first one is The Evil Eye Ghoulz Abomination...'

The abomination's twisted mouth opened, releasing an eerie sound—a strange mix of guttural growls and rasping breaths. Its lone eye fixated on Adrian with a disconcerting intensity, its gaze piercing through the darkness.

"Yoi... net... thi... benafectr..."

Adrian's pulse quickened, though his face remained composed. His mind raced, trying to decipher the creature's speech. It wasn't clear, but there was something familiar about its words. It spoke to me, he realized, though its speech was disjointed, broken. The others in the group didn't seem to notice, their focus solely on the abomination blocking their path.

A fleeting chill swept over him, but he pushed the feeling aside. This was no time for second-guessing. He was prepared for this moment. He had predicted the abomination's appearance—the Evil Eye Ghoulz, a creature that not only possessed strength but an eerie intelligence and senses.

Adrian turned back to one of the instructors, his calm demeanor unwavering. "I'll leave this one to you," he said, his voice steady. "Remember what I told you about it."Nôv(el)B\\jnn